WASHINGTON - The Japan-U.S. Declaration on Security signed in Tokyo will maintain U.S. presence in East Asia, said President Clinton and Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto during a press conference.

MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Wash. - When her physician ordered Xrays, Army Maj. Marilou Nosco knew the drill: Go downstairs to radiology, take a number, put on a hospital gown, get the Xrays, get dressed, wait for the film to be developed, then carry them back upstairs.

WASHINGTON - In a move to reduce the burden on the Japanese people without reducing U.S. military capability in the Asia-Pacific region, DoD is returning 20 percent of the land U.S. forces use in Okinawa.

WASHINGTON - Thousands more than expected have signed up for TRICARE Prime, the top option under DoD's new managed health care program. This comes under the "good news, bad news" category for DoD officials. It was good so many wanted to participate, but it slowed processing procedures.

WASHINGTON - Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and those who died with him on a Croatian mountainside were "the best of America," President Clinton said during a solemn homecoming ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 6.

WASHINGTON - Operation Joint Endeavor service members slated for peacekeeping duties over 180 days are eligible for up to 15 days of rest and recuperation. The policy, approved March 21, affects active duty personnel, reservists and DoD civilians deployed to Bosnia and adjacent areas.

WASHINGTON - The Montgomery GI Bill has entered the second decade of existence hailed as a major contributor to the success of the All-Volunteer Force, Army Lt. Gen. Samuel E. Ebbesen recently told Congress.

WASHINGTON, DC - DoD is conducting a congressionally mandated survey of more than 45,000 parents to assess the education their children receive in elementary and secondary schools on stateside military installations.

WASHINGTON - Two separation programs designed to ease service members transition to civilian life will continue in fiscal 1997. DoD is also programming an additional $109 million to continue the early retirement program.

WASHINGTON - Results of a 1995 worldwide DoD survey of health behaviors show service members are using alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs at the lowest rates since the department began the survey in 1980.